Wastewater Treatment Technology, Certificate

Program Details

Semester 1

• WAT 111 - WW Treatment 30-Hour Credits: 2
• WAT 112 - WW Treatment Lab Credits: 1
• WAT 113 - WW Treat Math Anly/Equip Credits: 4
• WAT 114 - Technical Internship I Credits: 5

Total Credits Required to Complete this Award - 12 Credits

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$193.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

Approximate total cost for the program: $2,716 **

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Students completing this certificate will be well-poised to enter the workforce with other entry-level personnel, but they will be able to more quickly advance up the pay and duty scale because they will have training that others will not have. They will immediately be qualified for some related employment opportunities, including entry-level positions with municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, municipal and industrial wastewater collection systems and municipal, industrial, and commercial wastewater laboratories. You will be well-advanced along the path for state operator certification, which opens many employment doors for you.

You will:

• Operate facilities to collect and treat wastewater to remove pollutants and recycle/reuse water, recover resources, protect and improve our environment, reduce water pollution, and protect public health from waterborne diseases and other health concerns.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot wastewater treatment processes and wastewater collection systems.
• Monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot equipment, controls, computerized systems and laboratory equipment.
• Collect and analyze wastewater samples, interpret results and adjust processes to achieve maximum performance.
• Be eligible to take your Iowa DNR Grade 1 Wastewater Treatment Certification Exam, have the knowledge to pass the exam, and become certified.
• Make a difference every day.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

• A basic knowledge of the traditional sciences, including biology and chemistry.
• A good knowledge of math and algebra.
• A willingness to work indoors and outdoors.
• A desire to protect public health and the environment.
• Technical abilities and technological skills.
• Good public relations skills.
• A willingness to do a variety of tasks that contribute to collecting and treating wastewater so that it is safe to reuse and recycle to the environment.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?

• Water Environmental Technology is a high-growth industry that is very stable and challenging. There are a wide variety of career opportunities and specialties.
• Because field work and hands-on experience are so important to this field, you will have to do an internship where you will work in this field and gain real-world experience.  This work experience will qualify you to take a Grade 1 certification exam when you complete your internship!
• If you are a person who is passionate about serving your community, recycling,  improving public health and the environment, able to work with minimal supervision and reliable and accurate in your work ethic, Water Environmental Technology may be the field for you.
• Average starting salary: $28,000-$60,000 (depending on area of interest and level of education), with opportunities to make a much higher income as you advance to higher levels of certification.

Program Competencies

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the duties of an operator of Wastewater Treatment Facilities. 
2. Explain the operations, maintenance, and administration of Wastewater Treatment Facilities. 
3. Perform monitoring, sampling, and laboratory analyses for regulatory compliance and process control of Wastewater Treatment Facilities. 
4. Obtain the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Grade 1 Operator Certification.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Executive Campus Dean’s office, the Executive Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, dso@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, Title9@dmacc.edu. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics

Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at Academic Pathway website.₍₂₀₂₄₎